Naharnet

Syria Orders Probe into Death of French Reporter

Syria said on Thursday it would set up a commission of inquiry into the death of French journalist Gilles Jacquier, killed by a shell in the flashpoint city of Homs on Wednesday, official media said.

"The governor of Homs, Ghassan Abdul Al, issued a decision to create a commission charged with investigating the circumstances of the terrorist attack that cost the life of the French journalist and eight Syrians," the official SANA news agency said.

The commission will consist of a judge, the head of criminal security in Homs, two weapons experts and a representative from the France 2 television channel Jacquier worked for, according to SANA.

The award-winning Jacquier was the first Western reporter to die in Syria since anti-regime protests erupted in mid-March last year.

An Agence France Presse photographer said he was killed when a shell exploded among some 15 journalists covering demonstrations in Homs on a visit organized by the authorities.

The international community has called on the Syrian authorities to guarantee the protection of journalists in the country.

Source: Agence France Presse


Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/26401